Capital One Spark vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred

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The Capital One Spark lineup and the Chase Ink Business Preferred are two of the most popular business rewards credit cards. Although both cards earn rewards points on every purchase, there are many differences. To help you choose the right card for your business, read this Capital One Spark vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred comparison first.

The Capital One Spark lineup consists of five different cards, but we’re going to focus on the two flagship products:

Capital One Spark Cash for Business

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

This will also help give us an “apples to apples comparison” between two business credit cards with a $95 annual fee too. But, the $95 annual fee is waived for the first year on the Capital One Spark credit cards.

For more information on the Capital One Spark Cash for Business, click HERE.

Further information on the Capital One Spark Miles for Business can also be found HERE.

Purchase Rewards

One of the largest differences between the Spark and the Chase Ink Business Preferred is the purchase rewards. Although some of the other comparisons are just as important, you want to use the business credit card that earns the most rewards points possible from your business spending.

Because every business spends money on different things, you might decide the Spark is the better option than the Ink Preferred. Or, you might decide that the Ink Preferred bonus categories are more relevant to your daily spending. It’s better to know which card is better now, than after you’ve already applied.

Capital One Spark

You will earn unlimited 2 points per $1 spent on every purchase. Every Capital One Spark product is a flat rate reward credit card.

Although you will earn the same amount points on every purchase, you will have to decide if you want to redeem your points for cash back rewards (Spark Cash) or travel rewards (Spark Miles). Unlike the Ink Business Preferred that lets you redeem your rewards points for cash or award travel, it’s one or the other with Spark lineup.

Chase Ink Business Preferred

On the first $150,000 in combined annual spending, you’ll get 3 Ultimate Rewards points per $1 for these categories:

Travel Purchases

Shipping Purchases

Search Engine and Social Media Purchases

Internet, Cable, and Phone Services

If you exceed the $150,000 annual spending cap, all remaining purchases in these categories earn 1 point per $1 until your next account anniversary.

All non-bonus spending categories will always earn an unlimited 1 point per $1.

Redeeming Rewards Points

Redeeming your rewards points is easy with either credit card too. Your decision with either option boils down to if you want to travel or cash rewards.

Capital One Spark

One downside to the Spark lineup is that your rewards points can only be redeemed for one type of award depending on which card you sign up for:

Spark Cash: Cashback rewards

Spark Miles: Travel statement credits or future award travel

With either card, each rewards point is always worth one cent each.

The Spark Miles card doesn’t offer point transfers of any kind.

Chase Ink Business Preferred

The Ink Business Preferred lets you redeem your rewards points for cash rewards, award travel, 1:1 point transfers, and gift cards. You’re never locked into one redemption option for the entire time you own the card.

However, there’s an added incentive to redeem your points for award travel. With cash back and gift card rewards, your points are only worth 1 cent each; just like the Capital One Spark. When you redeem them for award travel, your points are worth at least 1.25 cents each. Thanks to the 1:1 point transfers, there are many opportunities that make your points worth at least 2 cents each! That’s double the value of the Capital One Spark.

Some of the 1:1 Ultimate Rewards travel partners include Southwest Airlines, British Airways Avios, United Airlines, and World of Hyatt. There are 13 1:1 travel partners in all, and if you travel for business, the 1:1 points transfers are almost always a better option than going through the credit card travel portal.

Welcome Bonus

You’re going to love or hate the Capital One Spark or Chase Ink Business Preferred depending on how you can earn and redeem your points. But, the welcome bonus can be an additional incentive to choose one card over the other.

Capital One Spark

With the Spark Cash and Spark Miles, you get 5,000 bonus points after spending $4,500 in the first three months. This bonus is worth $500 in cash back or award travel depending on which Spark card you choose.

Capital One also waives the $95 annual fee for the first year too!

Chase Ink Business Preferred

The Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card has the largest ongoing bonus offer for Ultimate Rewards Points. You’ll get 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.

When redeemed for travel, this bonus is worth $1,000 thanks to the 25% travel redemption bonus. Of course, your points can be worth more if you transfer them to an Ultimate Rewards travel partner. If you decide to redeem the entire bonus for non-travel rewards, they will be worth $800.

Even though you have to pay the annual fee for the first year of card ownership and you have to spend an extra $500, the sign-up bonus that’s double the value of the Capital One Spark.

Additional Card Benefits

The main value for both the Capital One Spark and Chase Ink Business Preferred is the ability to earn and redeem rewards points with minimal effort. But, both cards offer some additional benefits that you might like as well.

For more information on the Capital One Spark Cash for Business, click HERE.

Further information on the Capital One Spark Miles for Business can also be found HERE.

May 31, 2018Mary Renking

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